Change 98 odometer lighting color
12-13-2011, 07:53 PM
#1
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Change 98 odometer lighting color Has anyone ever changed the color of the odometer lighting on a 98 firebird? They must be different on a 98 than 99-02 becouse everwhere I read they require 3mm led's. Mine has a161 in from the factory. When I put an led in it still shines orange-red.There must be some kind of film over it. Has anyone ever removed this?
12-14-2011, 01:53 PM
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There is a red translucent film back there that sits between the light and the "glass". I took mine out and used some plastic stock I sprayed transparent blue to make mine light up blue. It really didn't work all that welll, plus it was difficult to see during the day time.
12-14-2011, 02:01 PM
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Yah I tried to change the bulb colors to blue LED's and it was fail fail fail. I've done it on several vehicles and never had an issue. That damn film is a royal PITA. Better to just deal with it as it is.
12-14-2011, 06:59 PM
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Those who have done it have mostly all purchased them from 6LE, Gauge Works, and other companies. At least for Trans Ams. I know on the Camaro it's a bit easier? Try search.
12-14-2011, 07:00 PM
#7
Their used to be a company you could send your gauges to and they would change the color to whatever you wanted. I know for sure I've seen it done in blue. I think they used to be a sponsor. I thought it was ledgauges.com, but I don't see it offered.
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12-14-2011, 07:10 PM
#8
I was right! I had to get into their site a back way, but here it is.
http://www.ledgauges.com/id26.html
Stole these pics from member 2000_SS on a large thread of his
http://www.ledgauges.com/id26.html
Stole these pics from member 2000_SS on a large thread of his
BEFORE:
DURING:
FINISHED:
DURING:
FINISHED:
12-14-2011, 11:22 PM
#10
I don't know about you. It would make sense that you have a film if you had a regular bulb. It doesn't make sense that they would use a regular bulb for the odometer, especially for just 98. I've heard of a red film on Pontiac's gauges, but the odometer doesn't have a film. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Camaros have a red odometer too. I've already consulted a Trans Am owner that has a blue odo and all he did was change the LED's....their was no film on the odo. Whatever color LED you put in is the color you odo will be.
BTW: Ledgauges doesn't seem to exist anymore, at least since about 2008 it looks like. Emails don't work either. I talked with 2000_SS as he did his blue odo in late 2010. He bought his 2 3mm blue LED's from superbrightleds. In fact, this is the only one they sell that fits the bill. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-2000-mcd/305/
He also said going with 3 LED's made NO difference in brightness and that the 2000mcd LED's they sell were plenty bright. I was tempted to go with brighter LED's elsewhere, but I'll try these out first.
BTW: Ledgauges doesn't seem to exist anymore, at least since about 2008 it looks like. Emails don't work either. I talked with 2000_SS as he did his blue odo in late 2010. He bought his 2 3mm blue LED's from superbrightleds. In fact, this is the only one they sell that fits the bill. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-2000-mcd/305/
He also said going with 3 LED's made NO difference in brightness and that the 2000mcd LED's they sell were plenty bright. I was tempted to go with brighter LED's elsewhere, but I'll try these out first.
12-15-2011, 01:50 PM
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I know It doesnt make sense but after 98 there were changes made. I am aware that on the 99-02 they were leds. On my 98 I can twist out the bulb and shine a light in and see the orange film on the back of the odometer,
I don't know about you. It would make sense that you have a film if you had a regular bulb. It doesn't make sense that they would use a regular bulb for the odometer, especially for just 98. I've heard of a red film on Pontiac's gauges, but the odometer doesn't have a film. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Camaros have a red odometer too. I've already consulted a Trans Am owner that has a blue odo and all he did was change the LED's....their was no film on the odo. Whatever color LED you put in is the color you odo will be.
BTW: Ledgauges doesn't seem to exist anymore, at least since about 2008 it looks like. Emails don't work either. I talked with 2000_SS as he did his blue odo in late 2010. He bought his 2 3mm blue LED's from superbrightleds. In fact, this is the only one they sell that fits the bill. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-2000-mcd/305/
He also said going with 3 LED's made NO difference in brightness and that the 2000mcd LED's they sell were plenty bright. I was tempted to go with brighter LED's elsewhere, but I'll try these out first.
BTW: Ledgauges doesn't seem to exist anymore, at least since about 2008 it looks like. Emails don't work either. I talked with 2000_SS as he did his blue odo in late 2010. He bought his 2 3mm blue LED's from superbrightleds. In fact, this is the only one they sell that fits the bill. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...-2000-mcd/305/
He also said going with 3 LED's made NO difference in brightness and that the 2000mcd LED's they sell were plenty bright. I was tempted to go with brighter LED's elsewhere, but I'll try these out first.
12-15-2011, 10:47 PM
#13
Bummer. Well this thread reminded me of doing this. So I torn my gauge cluster out and its all apart awaiting LED's. I'm going to change every LED to white. Their is no film on the gauges over any of the 15 LED's. BTW, the turn signals have a green film and use regular 194 bulbs. The high beam has blue film and also a 194 bulb.
12-16-2011, 11:10 PM
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My 98 Camaro had a 194 bulb behind the odometer and a red translucent film behind the odometer. I took the film out and put in a 5 smt led 194 bulb in and made mine blue.
12-18-2011, 04:35 PM
#19
I thought the Pontiac clusters didn't have a removable film in the sense that you "peel" off some plastic. Rather it was kind of painted on and had to be tediously removed with acetone or nail polish remover and qtips. I thought I saw a thread about it a while back.